It was Spanish-American philosopher George Santayana who said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Since it is a myth that goldfish have three ‘second memories’, perhaps forgetful goldfish should be compared to humans instead, whose memories are most certainly short.

Forgetfulness is an unfortunate practical reality of any electorate in today’s media landscape. We can only take so many steps back, based on limited information, to observe the entire political picture. Yet this natural forgetfulness may also be consciously exploited and encouraged as a strategy by those who stand to benefit from their mistakes being swept under the carpet.

In Malta and Gozo, just as elsewhere, politicians take advantage of amnesia by changing their tone of voice, switching opinions when convenient and distracting and dazzling as necessary. A crook may play the victim to twist emotions, carry out acts of charity and repentance, and seize moments in the political climate to suddenly come out on top again. Everybody makes mistakes but politicians often just learn how to cover up the ugly truth, rather than turn over a new leaf.

Since 2017, when I was extremely proud to be part of a coalition with the Nationalist Party, I have seen the Nationalist Opposition change its tune on most issues imaginable a number of times. This is despite the fact that we are talking about the same people, circulating between different roles, but presenting wildly different impressions of what they stand for. It has been disappointing and sobering to watch, leaving me feeling personally betrayed.

‘But Timothy’, you may cry, ‘Isn’t it important to present a united front against this administration? Must we not overlook our differences and rally under the same party, even if it is a lesser evil?

My answer to that is that blind faith – in one’s home team and in pretty words – led us into this mess in the first place: a state of broken promises that nobody can deny.

Somebody must watch the watchmen. Somebody must hold the Opposition to a higher standard – it is not enough to be the lesser of two evils. That is why having such wildly contrasting positions on a range of issues is troubling: one is left not knowing what the Opposition actually stands for.

I compare most politicians to somebody tuning a radio or a guitar, trying to find the perfect frequency or to hit the right chords. They change their tune until they get enough of a boost to cross that electoral threshold. Where does that really leave us afterwards? Once people feel such uncertainty, they may stick to the devil they know.

What is more, I have found it shocking to see so many Yes-Men on both the Nationalist and Labour sides closing their eyes to every injustice and every wrong, simply because there is no higher loyalty than loyalty to the Party. There is no loyalty to the State – in the sense of its institutions and the Constitution – that should stand far above any political party, keeping politicians in check.

Meanwhile, the electorate overlooks these inconsistencies – which is where the goldfish metaphor comes in once again. In a state of goldfish politics, it is those with the most to hide who benefit the most. That is indeed why the clean slate of third party politics in Malta and Gozo would always remain the best shot for policies in the genuine public interest. One does not risk bringing in baggage and backroom deals through the rear entrance.

Until people wake up to that fact, and steel their minds against distracting siren songs and archaic allegiances, then no matter which of the two major parties is in charge, we will never achieve the highest possible standards of governance. To break the duopoly would be a service to both the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party, who would be forced to hold themselves to a higher standard. I beseech them to clean up their acts. I oppose them only because I no longer trust them, and I fear what they will do with more power.

Unless we realise that things can be better and hold those inside our own parties to account, we will always live in the shadow of the Malta and Gozo we truly love, waiting just out of reach.